I'm Michele

Hiring a headshot or personal brand photographer can feel like a big decision — particularly if you’ve had photos taken before that didn’t feel like “you.” The truth is, great photos aren’t just about fancy gear. They come from trust, comfort, and a photographer who knows how to highlight your best features while putting you at ease.

As a Rapid City photographer with over 15 years of headshot and brand photo experience, I’m sharing my six best tips for finding a photographer you trust — and walking away with photos you truly love.

1. Communication is everything.

Start with a conversation — over the phone, on Zoom, or even in person if possible. The right photographer will put you at ease right away. If you’re booking photos for your whole team, make sure their personality meshes well with your group. That comfort level makes a big difference once you’re in front of the lens.

2. Review their work (and not just the highlights).

Of course, check out their website and Instagram, but also ask to see a full gallery — ideally of someone in your age group or with a similar style to yours. You’ll quickly see if the photographer can flatter a variety of people, or if they’re only used to working with professional models.

3. Ask about photo selection.

Do you get to choose your final images, or does the photographer decide for you? For headshots, most people love having several poses to choose from. For branding sessions, I always deliver a full gallery so clients can pick the images that best fit their brand story.

4. Understand their retouching style.

Every photographer has a different approach to editing. Some are heavy-handed, while others (like me!) use lighting intentionally so only minimal, natural retouching is needed. Ask upfront so you know what to expect.

5. Share your concerns.

We all have little things we’re self-conscious about. Whether it’s a side you don’t love or a feature you’d rather downplay, a good photographer will use posing, lighting, and lens choices to make sure you feel your best.

6. Bring your photo favorites.

If you have a photo of yourself that you love, show it to your photographer! It’s a helpful starting point to figure out the kind of light, angles, or expressions that make you feel most confident. From there, you can try new poses once you’re comfortable.

✨ Ready to feel confident in front of the camera? Let’s chat about your next headshot or branding session — I’d love to create images that feel authentically you.